Coming within four points of the longest scoring run in franchise history, the Heat pushed to a 28-point second-quarter lead against the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, on the way to a 101-73 victory Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

"They came out, really wanted to make a statement, jumped on the team defensively," coach Pat Riley said. "We had a lot of energy to start the game."

While it's doubtful such a run-and-gun approach would transform into playoff success, it certainly translated into a confidence boost and a heck of a show.

The victory not only made it 10 victories in the past 13 games, but also consecutive victories against quality opponents. Monday, the Heat snapped the Clippers' five-game winning streak. Thursday, it put an end to the Cavaliers' seven-game run.

At a season-best 11 games above .500, there could be the confidence to shut down Vince Carter on Saturday in New Jersey and possibly challenge the Pistons a week from Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

While it also appeared early on that the Heat was on the way to shutting down LeBron James, it knew better, even when the Cavaliers forward was 4 of 15 from the field.

James (29 points) helped pace a second-half comeback that drew Cleveland within nine late in the third quarter.

But with guard Dwyane Wade scoring 24 and the Heat getting contributions throughout, it rebuilt its lead, pushing it back to 30.

"We gathered ourselves very quickly," Riley said.

From the first double-double of the season by forward James Posey (11 points, a season-high 10 rebounds), to 21 points and eight rebounds from center Shaquille O'Neal, to bench boosts from Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and Alonzo Mourning, it turned into a thrill show of ridiculous proportions.

Asked about the Heat's 22-0 run, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown replied, "Which one?" As it was, the Heat also closed with a 23-5 run.

The game was a measure of revenge for a 115-107 Dec. 17 loss in Cleveland. James scored 41 points in that game. That game was the fourth game in five nights for the Heat, as was the case Thursday for the Cavaliers.

The final minutes featured everything from a flat-footed, over-the-shoulder-and-one layup from O'Neal to a sky-high blocked shot from Wade to a Wade-to-O'Neal alley-oop that not only brought the house down, but nearly the rim, as well.

"To be honest, at the end of a game like that, I would have liked it to end quietly, but the fans like it," Riley said.

Gary Payton again opened at point guard, but Williams played for the first time since opening a six-stitch gash in his right ring finger a week ago. Although off with his shot (2 of 10), Williams was deft with his passing, his eight assists helping to fuel 51.8-percent shooting.

With James coming off his third triple-double of the season, the Heat took an innovative defensive approach, at times guarding the 6-foot-8 forward with 6-4 Payton on the perimeter and counting on defensive help in the lane from Mourning.

"I don't think there's a book on LeBron, but you can't let him get to the rim," Riley said. "We had a very solid game plan for him."

Ira Winderman can be reached at iwinderman @sun-sentinel.com.

HEAT METER

Reflections from Thursday's 101-73 victory over the Cavaliers at AmericanAirlines Arena:

Difference maker: Alonzo Mourning not only made the most of his 18 minutes, with six points, six rebounds, five blocked shots and one flagrant foul, but the backup center also provided needed second-half energy when a 28-point lead was being whittled to nine.

Chemistry lesson: While the bandage protecting the six stitches on Jason Williams' right ring finger might have impacted the guard's shooting, it didn't affect some of the sharpest passes the Heat has seen this season, including nifty fastbreak feeds to Gary Payton and Antoine Walker. The shot was off, but Williams' floor game was brilliant.

Power play: Mourning not only violently swatted away a post-up attempt by LeBron James in the second quarter, but the Heat center then sprinted the middle of the court for a resounding fast-break dunk off a Williams feed.

Revelation: The 22-0 run that bridged the first and second quarters was the longest of the season for the Heat, four points from the franchise record. It had a 17-0 second-half streak last week in Charlotte.

-- IRA WINDERMAN

BREAKING DOWN A BIG FIRST HALF:

FAST START

With 2:26 left in the first quarter,

a layup from Dwyane Wade puts the Heat up 11 at 21-10.

RUNAWAY RUN

Shaquille O'Neal later tops a 22-0 run on a basket with 6:37 left in the half that puts the Heat ahead 43-15.